Abstract:Objective To analyze the distribution characteristics and clinical significance of serum allergens in hospitalized children with asthma. Methods A total of 355 children with wheezing symptoms who were admitted to our pediatrics department from Jan. 2012 to Feb. 2021 and completed allergen detection were enrolled, and the results of allergen specific immunoglobulin E (sIgE) detection and the levels of serum total immunoglobulin E (T-IgE) were retrospectively analyzed. According to the diagnosis, the children were divided into asthma group (109 cases) and non-asthma group (246 cases), and the differences in allergen distribution and serum T-IgE levels were compared between the 2 groups. Results Among the 355 children, 40.6% (144 cases) were positive for allergens. The top 3 inhalation allergens with positive detection were dust mite (82.6%, 119/144), house dust (10.4%, 15/144) and cat dander (10.4%, 15/144). The top 3 food allergens were egg white (12.5%, 18/144), cod/lobster/scallop (10.4%, 15/144) and milk (10.4%, 15/144). Compared with the non-asthma group, the age of the asthma group was significantly older ([8.8±2.9]years vs [2.4±1.4]years); the positive rate of allergen sIgE (71.6%[78/109]vs 26.8%[66/246]), the inhalational allergen positive rate (54.1%[59/109] vs 16.3%[40/246]), the multiple sensitization rate (26.6%[29/109] vs 10.2% [25/246]) and the T-IgE level (344.0[108.0, 920.0] IU/mL vs 79.6 IU/mL[26.2, 280.5]) of the asthma group were significantly higher (all P<0.05). Conclusion The immunopathology of asthma in children is mainly characterized by high-IgE. There are differences in the positive rate and distribution of allergens between asthmatic children and non-asthmatic children. The positive rate of allergens is higher, the numbers of inhaled allergens and multiple sensitization are greater, and the level of T-IgE is higher in asthmatic children.